NEW YORK — He owned the heartbeat of Yankee Stadium. Flipped emotions on command. Suffocated a New York lineup that still hasn't solved the left-hander in five starts dating back to the regular season.

The Yankees thought they cracked Garrett Crochet when Anthony Volpe roped a solo shot to right in the second inning

But Crochet was too willing in Game 1 of this Wild Card Series, too imposing, too dominant for it to matter. In this one, in a place that can swallow even the most prepared pitchers, the Red Sox ace didn't flinch. He dazzled for 7 ⅓ innings. Powered through 117 pitches.

Never rattled. Never uncertain.

Each three-ball count turned into a win. No walks. Weak contact or another strikeout. Eleven in all.

At each turn when his team couldn't solve Max Fried , who made

See Full Page